Recovering data from Vaio Z SVZ13

Hello

my Vaio Z SVZ1311C5E died this morning. Looks like it is a motherboard problem so all I am trying to do now is to salvage the data.

I opened the laptop and the disk is a MZPRC512HAFU - MZ-RPC5120/0SO. It is a tiny card with a LIF connector.

Do you know what is the best way to recover the data? Will this drive be compatible with SATA LIF adapters or is it a Sony specific connector (I am slightly worried about the RAID 0 part)? In this case do I even stand a chance sticking it in another laptop of a similar model?

thanks
Charles

 

What Windows are you using and was there a login password?

It is extremely difficult, I'm not even sure what Sony's implementation of the RAID0 array is.

It is unlikely but if the implementation is via Windows Striped volume (aka OS RAID) then you simply get a LIF to SATA converter and plug both drives in to a desktop, Windows should automatically recognize the array.

However, knowing Sony, the RAID0 is possibly implemented via IRST. In this case, your recovery methods are extremely limited. Theoretically, very theoretically mind you, if you plug both drives via LIF to SATA converter to a desktop with a similar IRST version to your laptop (i.e. Ivy Bridge era) and initialize the IRST RAID array (be extremely careful not to override the current setup, you may accidentally create a new array and wipe your data) in the BIOS, WIndows should recognize the array as a drive you can pull data from.

Assuming Windows recognizes the Array, if you had a Login Windows password, then you need to mount the arrays in Linux to pull the data. I've only ever had to do this once but it was a much simpler recovery of data from a Windows 8 install on a regular HDD. I cannot even begin to fathom how to grab data off a Windows RAID0 array which is handled by Linux differently.

The last option is that Sony may have used a proprietary RAID solution, in this case, I don't think this the case but with Sony, they tend to do retarded things. You will pretty much have to find a replacement model to place the SSDs in. That being said, placing your drives in a working machine may be the safest bet given the ambiguity.

 

For the records I stick the disk in a VPCZ21V9E, so not exactly the same model. It complained a little on first boot, saying the battery is not the right one, and looking up for various drivers. But from the second boot the drive felt right at home and I could use the laptop as if nothing ever happened!

 

Windows 7 pro. Yes there were a login and password, and fingerprints. But the disk was not crypted (no bitlocker or other).

For the avoidance of doubt, when I said that I stick the disk, i meant replacing the original disk with mine and booting from it.

 

CM2187,

Interestingly enough, my SVZ13114GXX died a week before yours. I took the SDD drive out thinking I could get a converter cable and just suck the data right off it onto another computer. Silly me. (Drive is MZRPC256HADR with that same little FPC24 cable.) I tried to buy a used unit on Ebay thinking I could just transplant the drive, but the seller never sent it.

Were you ever able to figure out a solution?

Thanks.
Sunsets (Kelly)